DM Wayanad Institute of Medical Sciences launches in Meppadi, Kerala

The honourable Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Oommen Chandy laid the foundation stone, in a ceremony held in Naseera Nagar, Meppadi. The event was attended by Shri M. I. Shanavas, MP, Shri M. V. Shreyams Kumar, MLA and I. C. Balakrishnan, MLA, and other dignitaries.

Commenting on the launch of DM WIMS, Padmashri Dr Azad Moopen said, "We are grateful to the Government of Kerala for their help and support in ensuring this project takes off as planned. Education is the backbone of every economy. We are glad that we are able to contribute towards the growth of medical education in India, and help nurture the talent that this region harbours. We see this as an opportunity to set an international benchmark for education in the medical field, where healthcare professionals are given access to high quality facilities and training."

"At WIMS, we aim to merge learning and healing with nature in a comprehensive medical campus, where quality education and quality healthcare facilities in a serene ambience will be imparted to future generation," Dr Moopen added.

Foundation Stone Laying of DM Education' DM Wayanadu Institute of Medical Sciences (DM WIMS) is being done by Shri. Ommen Chandy, Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala, in presence Shri M. I. Shanavas Member of Parliament, Wayandu, Shri M. V. Shreyams Kumar MLA, Shri I. C. Balakrishnan, MLA, Padma Shree Dr. Azad Moopen, Chairman of DM Healthcare and other Directors and Offcials.

Spread across a vast area of 50 acres in Meppadi at Wayanad, the Rs 250 Crore project is set to become a comprehensive academic medical campus, providing graduate and post-graduate courses and research facilities in medicine, dental, nursing, pharmacy, paramedical and associated subjects. The first phase of the project will begin with the establishment of DM WIMS Medical College and DM WIMS Hospital.

WIMS consists of a 12 lakh square feet of built-up area, with a 700 bed teaching hospital, academic block with simulation lab, lecture halls and e-library, residential facility for at least 80 per cent of the staff and students, food court, residential and shopping centers and a complete green campus with botanical gardens.

The first phase of the Hospital is scheduled to open in June 2012, and the Medical College aims to take its first batch of students for the MBBS course in August 2013.

In line with the desire to provide quality healthcare closer to greater numbers of people, the teaching hospital of WIMS aims to improve healthcare infrastructure at Wayanad where the existing doctor-population ratio is 1:1600. The hospital will also cater to healthcare needs of people from Wayanad and neighborhood districts in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The necessity for quality healthcare in the area, dominated by a population of 7 lakh and other 13 lakh in surrounding areas including Gudalur and Gundalpet, and the tribal communities, is also an important reason for locating WIMS at Meppadi.

While bringing affordable advanced healthcare to the population in these districts, DM WIMS also offers the medical students the opportunity to live close to nature and witness the healing and care provided to the poor and needy population in the area.

Subsidized and free treatment will be provided at the WIMS Hospital to the needy. The DM Foundation also plans to set a "Not for Profit" Cancer Centre with Radiation Oncology facility and a Dialysis Centre within the campus. DM WIMS will also provide paid, private rooms and suites to accommodate the patients who can afford it.

WIMS shall be the first medical campus in India designed on 'green building' concepts and with a botanical garden in a resort ambience, offering on-campus living and recreational facilities for students and staff in a scenic and serene backdrop.

With the support of an excellent faculty and with all modern equipment's and facilities, WIMS will become the destination for quality medical education in the country, where leaders for the future of the country are nurtured.